Leadership
Full Circle Recovery Services Leadership Team
Our leaders have kept our vision and direction clear from inception. They guide us towards what’s most important, helping anyone suffering from addiction find a healthy, happy life with long-term recovery.
John Pawelski
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
John has dedicated over five decades to public safety and recovery services, with 18 years of service in the Dayton Police Department and 34 years in private security. Throughout his career, he witnessed firsthand the devastating toll addiction takes on individuals and communities. This experience motivated him to establish Full Circle Recovery Services, a treatment center focused on offering individuals a future through long-term recovery, empowering them to lead sober and fulfilling lives.
John’s approach centers on compassion and rehabilitation, emphasizing recovery over incarceration. His belief that clients can become productive, positive members of society is deeply rooted in the values instilled by his parents, who also play a vital role in supporting Full Circle’s clients.
John considers his greatest achievement to be the alumni of Full Circle, many of whom have transformed their lives and now inspire others to pursue addiction-free futures. Through his leadership, John continues to make a lasting impact on countless lives, helping to build stronger, healthier communities.
Chris Pawelski
Executive Director
Drawing from nearly 14 years of dedicated service with the Dayton Police Department, Chris brings a variety of skills and expertise to his current position as Executive Director. As a former Community Engagement Officer, Chris spearheaded numerous multifaceted projects, leveraging data-driven strategies to empower communities in crime prevention. His dedication extended beyond the police department, serving as President of both the Ohio Crime Prevention Association and Miami Valley Crime Prevention Association, leading teams of officers and community members in impactful initiatives statewide. In early 2021, Chris embraced a new chapter, transitioning to his current role at Full Circle, where he continues to utilize strategic insights and operational acumen to support management and senior leadership in navigating the day-to-day operations.
Karen Jackson
Senior Compliance Director
From Dayton, Ohio, graduated from Chaminade Julienne High School and obtained her degree from the University of Cincinnati. She leads corporate compliance and risk management initiatives, implementing strategies and plans for quality improvement. Karen provides consultation on program development and processes and manages policies and procedures related to corporate compliance, HIPAA, risk management, client rights, and health and safety standards. She collaborates with leaders on a functioning interdisciplinary team to maximize patient outcomes. With past leadership experience as Operations Manager for GE Sales Finance, Consumer Sales and Service Manager for Ameritech, and Reservations Sales Supervisor for US Airways, Karen brings a wealth of expertise to her current role. Her interests include reading and genealogy.
Deidre Maloney
Senior Clinical Director
Graduated from Wright State University in 2002 with a bachelor’s in psychology. Within three months of graduation, she began working in the field of mental health as a Residential Specialist with teenage girls. Over the course of 16 years, she provided support to individuals dealing with substance abuse, mental health, and behavioral issues. Deidre gained additional experience working with transitional youth, homeless individuals, and those in need of group home placement. In 2008, she obtained her master’s in psychology from the University of Phoenix while working as a job coach for individuals with developmental diagnoses. Deidre obtained her CDCA in 2015 and began teaching as an adjunct instructor in Addiction Counseling and Psychology departments at a Community College. She became a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor (LICDC) in 2018. Joining Full Circle in 2019 as a Clinical Supervisor, Deidre quickly progressed to interim Clinical Director. By 2020, she was promoted to Clinical Director. In September 2023, she graduated from Capella University with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling.
Kristi Coker
Senior Assistant Medial Director
Embarked on her healthcare journey as an orthopedic nurse while pursuing her master’s degree to become a Nurse Practitioner. In this role, she has served in hospitals, tending to ICU patients with critical medical conditions, post-surgical patients, and those in primary care settings. She earned her undergraduate degree from Wright State University and her graduate degree from the University of Cincinnati. Transitioning to Full Circle after several years as a primary care provider, Kristi observed that many patients she treated for chronic conditions also struggled with untreated substance use disorders, exacerbating their health issues and leading to fatalities. Recognizing the urgency of addressing substance use disorders to prevent further harm, Kristi and her team at Full Circle are dedicated to offering high-quality, compassionate, and non-judgmental care to all patients.
Margaret Ellis
Senior Facilities Director
An accomplished Director of Facilities with over 31 years of experience in facility and property maintenance. She began her career in Federally Subsidized property management, gaining valuable insights into real estate operations and tenant relations. She brings a unique blend of leadership, technical expertise, and strategic vision to her role. She has a proven record of implementing cost effective solutions to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability within properties and facilities. Her strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally make her an effective leader. Margie is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, ensuring that properties and facilities meet the evolving needs of the organization.
Ashley Scharrer
Human Resources Director
Graduated college in 2010 from Wright State University and earned her SHRM-CP certification in 2019. She specializes in employee relations, benefits, and payroll. She has been with Full Circle since its inception and has had a front-row seat to the amazing growth the company has experienced. She loves seeing others succeed and can’t help but feel the Full Circle pride when a former client comes on board with the company as an employee. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to new and familiar places.
J. Troy Gray
Faith-based Director
A Chillicothe, Ohio native, is a current Director and Partner with Full Circle Recovery Services and is also known as Pastor of Zion Baptist Church. After graduating from the American School of Broadcasting in 1981, he went on to attend Morehead State University In 1984. Pastor Gray served as the Executive Assistant External Affairs for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Chillicothe, as well as the EEO Director for the City of Chillicothe. In addition to his work as an Executive, he was also employed in various management positions within the Chillicothe Correctional Institution. Dr. Gray currently serves as Chaplain of the Chillicothe Police Department. At one time he served on 25 community boards and received many local, state and national awards including being a torch carrier for the Olympics.
Ten years ago, he developed a transitional program for men and women struggling with adjusting back to society after drug addictions or incarcerations. This program provides men and women with another chance at life. Today, the program has grown tremendously. Many people know him to be a mover and shaker of the community, but you will find ministering to those that many overlook. He’s been an advocate and shown love to the underdog, giving all a fighting chance.
Jen Pawelski
Finance Director
A finance and operations professional with over 16 years of diverse experience in public and private sectors. As Finance Director at Tenneco, she led global cash initiatives for the $4 billion Clean Air business, driving inventory reduction, optimizing accounts payable processes, and delivering measurable financial improvements.
Previously, Jen spearheaded strategic transformations, including creating commercial operating models and innovative pricing strategies for an $8 billion sales organization. Her leadership extends to managing multi-plant operations, achieving $15 million in annual cost savings, and successfully executing plant turnarounds.
A Certified Public Accountant, Jen holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Miami University and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Intelligence from Mercyhurst College. As she transitions into her new role at Full Circle, she plans to use her expertise in financial strategy, operational excellence, and team development to deliver impactful results for Full Circle.
Thomas Ross
Operations Manager
Bringing nearly 15 years of leadership experience, Thomas is a results-driven Operations Manager with experience in operational excellence, quality assurance, and team leadership. His career spans both the manufacturing and healthcare industries, during which the teams he’s led have achieved significant enhancements in quality, safety, and production processes. Earning his degree from The Ohio State University, he also completed the USMC Officer Candidate School where he graduated with honors. Thomas is heavily involved with the Chicago Public School system and currently sits on the Advisory Board with the Illinois High School Association as Head Official for Girls Flag Football. He is a dedicated community advocate contributing to organizations such as the Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation and Bless The Blocks, a community outreach program in Chicago, IL where he serves as Vice President. Thomas’ passion for mentorship and outreach reflects his dedication to making a positive impact both in and outside of the workplace.